But after a week during which Ratner made a slew of offensive comments -- from insulting Olivia Munn and talking about his private parts on Howard Stern's radio show to using the word "fags" at a Tower Heist screening -- the director has parted ways with the Academy, as The Hollywood Reporter first reported.

Ratner released a statement soon after THR reported his exit.

"I called Tom Sherak this morning and resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards telecast," he said. "Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents."

Twitter and Facebook were flooded with a slew of reactions after THR broke the news. Many people expressed strong opinions about Ratner's departure, with many making quips at the director's expense and yet others criticizing the Academy for bowing to pressure. Among the reactions:

Tim Carvell
Not surprised the Oscars ousted Brett Ratner; a little surprised that, as his replacement, they went with Lars Von Trier [another director who has been in hot water in recent months thanks to controversial statements]

Terrie Lake
No, I don't agree with their decision and will now Boycott! They must be weak-minded to give in to such immature pressure. Keep submitting to the demands of the perverse...and lose your freedoms. Give me liberty!

Thomas Levesque
brett is a great director. as long as he's not out of directing films. it's cool.

Guy Lodge
Brett Ratner should hook up with [previous Oscar co-hosts] Anne Hathaway and James Franco to stage a killer Sci-Tech Awards ceremony.

Abbe Buck, referencing Murphy's character in the Shrek films:
Oh! Where does that leave Donkey?